I stopped skiing 7 years ago when I tore my ACL 
. I gave my skiis away! (but kept my boots, very comfy). Prior to that, I skiid for about 3 seasons, maybe 4 or 5 times/season. I was just starting to get comfortable on Intermediates (east coast). I finally got up the courage to go back and try again, a couple of weeks ago for the first time in 7 years and I totally got the bug. I immediately took a lesson, since I felt like I completely forgot how to ski. By the end, it was coming back and I was keeping to the green slopes but pretty comfortable. I am 53 and am not looking to win any races, just want to go have a nice time and get home in one piece with a smile on my face. That said, I want my own skiis, I hate the process of renting and I know that having your own equipment is always better. I've done some research. It sounds like I do not want entry level skiis because they will be useless quickly. On the other hand, I only plan on going a few times a season, so I don't want anything crazy or that I'm going to have to 'grow into' skillwise. I've been directed towards either the K2 Sweet Luv or the Atomic Cool Minx (which nobody seems to have in order to demo). Any opinion on this? Also, length. Yeesh, things have changed over the last 7 years. I used to have 160 shaped skiis, but compared to the new models, they were still quite 'thin'. I'm noticing fatter shaped skiis and people skiing in shorter lengths. I rented 146 for my lesson, however I was told that for the Sweet Luv I should be looking at the 153. I am a little over 5'6" and weigh about 163. Do I really need to demo them? Am I going to be 'sophisticated' enough to tell the difference between one and another? I saw a couple of great deals online, as compared to the stores, and am tempted to just order them. I am planning on skiing next week. Appreciate any advice! Thanks!
. I gave my skiis away! (but kept my boots, very comfy). Prior to that, I skiid for about 3 seasons, maybe 4 or 5 times/season. I was just starting to get comfortable on Intermediates (east coast). I finally got up the courage to go back and try again, a couple of weeks ago for the first time in 7 years and I totally got the bug. I immediately took a lesson, since I felt like I completely forgot how to ski. By the end, it was coming back and I was keeping to the green slopes but pretty comfortable. I am 53 and am not looking to win any races, just want to go have a nice time and get home in one piece with a smile on my face. That said, I want my own skiis, I hate the process of renting and I know that having your own equipment is always better. I've done some research. It sounds like I do not want entry level skiis because they will be useless quickly. On the other hand, I only plan on going a few times a season, so I don't want anything crazy or that I'm going to have to 'grow into' skillwise. I've been directed towards either the K2 Sweet Luv or the Atomic Cool Minx (which nobody seems to have in order to demo). Any opinion on this? Also, length. Yeesh, things have changed over the last 7 years. I used to have 160 shaped skiis, but compared to the new models, they were still quite 'thin'. I'm noticing fatter shaped skiis and people skiing in shorter lengths. I rented 146 for my lesson, however I was told that for the Sweet Luv I should be looking at the 153. I am a little over 5'6" and weigh about 163. Do I really need to demo them? Am I going to be 'sophisticated' enough to tell the difference between one and another? I saw a couple of great deals online, as compared to the stores, and am tempted to just order them. I am planning on skiing next week. Appreciate any advice! Thanks!
